fail

fail to see

To be incapable of understanding or unwilling to accept something. Mary, I fail to see what your fear of spiders has to do with your unwillingness to go on this trip.Congressman, I fail to see how your opponent, as you claim, is in any way responsible for the economic slump in your state.

red-face test

A hypothetical test meant to measure whether or not some question or thing provokes discernible embarrassment, discomfiture, or displeasure in a person. The old red-face test is a simple but subtle way of telling which employees are the most honest and work the hardest.Well, my proposal didn't pass the red-face test with the boss. I guess we can kiss that idea goodbye.

fail the smell test

To be morally questionable, unacceptable, or untrustworthy. The new pro-drilling bill that's being put through Congress certainly fails the smell test, and many are suspicious that Big Oil has been responsible for its inception.

day in, day out, every day without fail

A phrase used to describe something that happens routinely or regularly. Day in, day out, every day without fail, I pass that same woman walking her dog.My mom started driving us to school because we would miss the bus day in, day out, every day without fail.

fail at life

slang To fail in a way that is exaggeratedly likened to one's entire life being a failure. I can't believe I blew my audition! Ugh, I fail at life.I overheard you struggling to ask Kim to the prom, and, yeah, you fail at life, dude.

fail of success

To not reach a goal or accomplishment. I know you worked hard on the fundraiser, so I'm really sorry to hear that you failed of success.After not making the team last year, I'm really hoping I don't fail of success this time around.

fail

1. An exclamation, perhaps of annoyance or frustration, when something has gone wrong. I called him Mark, but apparently his name is Steven. Ugh, fail!I tried to bake a cake for my sister's birthday, but I accidentally used salt instead of sugar. Fail.

2. noun A mistake or blunder. Something that has gone wrong. I called him Mark, but apparently his name is Steven! What a fail.I tried to bake a cake for my sister's birthday, but I accidentally used salt instead of sugar, and it was a big fail.

epic fail

An especially big or embarrassing blunder. I can't believe I called the CEO by the wrong name! What an epic fail.I tried to bake a cake for my sister's birthday, but I accidentally used salt instead of sugar. Epic fail.

if all else fails

If all other options and plans are unsuccessful. The phrase is used to indicate what the last resort will be. If all else fails, we can always order pizza.A: "Will we have to do it manually?" B: "Only if all else fails."

words fail me

I'm unable to articulate or express myself because I'm too surprised or the emotion is too intense. I wish I could convey how much it means to me having you all here, but words fail me at the moment.And to think that you would risk your whole future by drinking and then getting behind the wheel of a car—well, words fail me!

without fail

if all else ˈfails

(spoken) used to introduce an idea or a suggestion that you could try if nothing else works: Let’s try phoning her at this number and then emailing her. If all else fails, we can always contact her parents.

When students fail math and we still allow it to count as a prerequisite, we compromise the degree of all those students who hired tutors, took time off work, lost sleep and still struggled, but passed.

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